Barapukuria's missing coal

We are taken aback by a recent exposé that revealed that 1.45 lakh tonnes of coal, worth Tk 227 crore, has "gone missing" from the Barapukuria coal-based power plant. This has forced the 525MW power plant to suspend its production for an indefinite period due to lack of fuel supply.

This case should serve as an indication of how deep the culture of corruption is entrenched in many areas of our society and administration.

The government has formed a committee to find out the perpetrators. But signs are not reassuring as a former managing director of the site, who was named as a suspect in the preliminary investigation, has been allowed to leave the country for performing Hajj. What's equally disturbing is the fact that some leaders of the ruling party have already started a blame game.

The final investigation should be impartial and thorough. Those who were involved in the heist should be brought to book and duly punished.

Mohammad Zonaed Emran

By e-mail